Building a hostel


Many children at Refihlile show tremendous potential and are keen to further their education when they leave Primary School.  The nearest High School promises to deliver this, boasting a 100% matrik pass rate.  However, the school is over 40 kms from the children’s homes, there’s no transport and the school does not have any boarding facilities.  In the past, children wanting to continue their education have stayed in the local township with ‘extended families’ where, all too often, they experience physical and sexual abuse as well as mal-nourishment and theft.  The result is that children end up dropping out of school, getting pregnant, becoming infected with HIV or getting involved in crime.

In response to this, The Clabile Trust has opened Casa Clabile – a home close to the Secondary School which provides a safe, secure, happy, family environment.


Building work was completed in February 2008 and then founder and Chairman of The Clabile Trust, Sophie Meeson, went over to South Africa to turn the building into a home, kitting it out with everything from beds to cutlery, towels to curtains.


On 1st March 2008, Casa Clabile officially opened and eight children moved in! 


Casa Clabile is run by the fabulous Jackie – a local lady who ensures that the children are safe, nourished, educated and happy.

Very Special Thanks to:  Gerard Nock for providing the funding for the building of the hostel;  Catherine Gurtin (Piet’s sponsor); St. Teresa’s School (Evelina’s sponsor);  Barbara Jago (Phineus's sponsor); Jeremy Starling (Jerry’s sponsor); Toni Nash (Lerato’s sponsor);  Paula Reid (Salome’s sponsor);  & all those people who have helped fund the furniture for Casa Clabile.


Violet Mmabatho Motshegoa

Violet is an articulate young lady who is determined to build a better future for herself and her family.  The Clabile Trust is helping her reach her dream of becoming a HR manager by helping fund her living costs while she gains a qualification in Pretoria.

The Susan Strydom School


The Clabile Trust has provided funding for three children from Refihlile School to attend the Susan Strydom School in Nylstroom. This is a Secondary School which focuses on teaching vocational skills such as woodwork, plumbing, cookery and hairdressing – invaluable skills for future employment in this rural area of South Africa.


Sina was the first to start at the Susan Strydom School in 2005 and, within weeks, we were told “Sina is a new person.  She is so happy … It’s the first time one can hear the excitement in Sina’s voice”.


Following such a success story, The Clabile Trust subsequently raised the sponsorship for Piet to start at the school this year – he is working towards his ambition to become a mechanic!

Special thanks to:  St. Teresa’s Preparatory School (Piet’s sponsor)

School uniforms all round


Thanks to the time and generosity of St. Teresa’s Preparatory School and Cranmore School, we have been able to provide every one of the students of Refihlile School with a new uniform.


Previously used to accepting hand-me downs, the children now wear their new school uniforms with pride.

Other Projects at Refihlile School


When The Clabile Trust heard that the Refihlile School crèche was in danger of shutting down due to lack of funding, it was proud to come to the rescue  We provided the funding to keep the crèche going and thus provide a valuable kick-start to its 15 young students.

The Clabile Trust has sent several wind up radios to the children of Refihlile School and their families, aiding their education and world awareness.

The Clabile Trust also provided the funding to tile the school classrooms – facilitating a cleaner, healthier and brighter working environment.

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